A steering system for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is provided. The steering system includes a controller that is in communication with an electric power steering system and a transmission control system. The controller is programmed to, in response to a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator and a request to operate, place the electric power steering system in a standby mode and inhibit the transmission control system from changing at least one of a transmission operational state and a transmission operational position.
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1. A steering system, comprising:
an electric power steering system; and
a controller in communication with the electric power steering system and is configured to verify an operator, the controller being programmed to, in response to a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator and a request to operate the steering system, provide the first signal to the electric power steering system, and operate the electric power steering system to pivot a steerable wheel.
7. A steering system for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, comprising:
a controller in communication with an electric power steering system and a transmission control system, the controller being programmed to, in response to a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator and a request to operate, place the electric power steering system in a standby mode and inhibit the transmission control system from changing at least one of a transmission operational state and a transmission operational position.
12. A steering system for a vehicle, comprising:
an electric power steering system operatively connected to a steerable wheel; and
a controller in communication with the electric power steering system and a braking system operatively connected to at least one of the steerable wheel and a non-steerable wheel, the controller being programmed to, in response to a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator and a request to operate, provide the first signal to the electric power steering system, inhibit operation of the vehicle, and operate the braking system to inhibit rotation of at least one of the steerable wheel and the non-steerable wheel.
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9. The steering system of
10. The steering system of
11. The steering system of
13. The steering system of
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18. The steering system of
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Vehicles are generally provided with an anti-theft system such as door locks, alarms, or a steering column lock. Vehicles provided advanced steering systems having wireless communication between the steering columns and vehicle wheels, some anti-theft systems may be ineffective against unauthorized use of the vehicle. Accordingly it is desirable to provide an anti-theft system for vehicles having advanced steering systems.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a steering system is provided. The steering system includes an electric power steering system and a controller. The controller is in communication with the electric power steering system and is configured to verify an operator. The controller is programmed to, in response to a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator and a request to operate the steering system, provide the first signal to the electric power steering system and inhibit operation of the electric power steering system.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a steering system for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is provided. The steering system includes a controller that is in communication with an electric power steering system and a transmission control system. The controller is programmed to, in response to a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator and a request to operate, place the electric power steering system in a standby mode and inhibit the transmission control system from changing at least one of a transmission operational state and a transmission operational position.
According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a steering system for a vehicle is provided. The steering system includes an electric power steering system that is operatively connected to a steerable wheel and a controller. The controller is in communication with the electric power steering system and a braking system that is operatively connected to at least one of the steerable wheel and a non-steerable wheel. The controller is programmed to, in response to a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator and a request to operate, provide the first signal to the electric power steering system and inhibit operation of the vehicle.
These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
The subject matter which is regarded as the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring now to the Figures, where the present disclosure will be described with reference to specific embodiments, without limiting same, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the present disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.
Referring to
The ADAS 20 enables the vehicle 10 to be fully controlled autonomously or to be at least partially autonomously controlled using sensing, steering, and/or braking technology without continuous input from a driver (e.g. steering, accelerating, braking, maneuvering, etc.). The ADAS 20 may be in communication with vehicle sub-systems such as the electric power steering system 22, the vehicle system 24, the transmission control system 26, the braking system 28, the controller 30, and other vehicle sub-systems that may affect operation of the vehicle 10. In at least one embodiment, the ADAS 20 is provided as part of the controller 30. A driver of the selectively autonomous vehicle is able to selectively activate or deactivate the ADAS 20 via a switch or other mechanism. A vehicle control system or monitoring system is able to selectively activate or deactivate the ADAS 20 in response to events occurring internal or external to the vehicle 10.
The ADAS 20 and the electric power steering system 22 may comprise a steering system of the vehicle 10. The electric power steering system 22 may include a steering wheel 40, a steering assembly 42, and a steerable wheel 44. The steering wheel 40 is connected to a steering column 46. The combination of the steering wheel 40 and the steering column 46 may be adjustable such that the combination is extendable or retractable along a longitudinal axis that extends from the steering column 46. The combination of the steering wheel 40 and the steering column 46 may be in the extended position while the ADAS 20 is deactivated. The combination of the steering wheel 40 and the steering column 46 may move from the extended position towards the retracted position in response to activation of the ADAS 20, such that the combination of the steerable wheel 44 and the steering column 46 are in the retracted position while the ADAS 20 is activated. The extended position corresponds to a position in which a driver of the vehicle 10 is able to provide steering input via the steering wheel 40. The retracted position corresponds to a position in which the driver of the vehicle 10 is not required to provide steering input via the steering wheel 40.
The steering wheel 40 is switchable between a rotatable condition and a non-rotatable condition. The steering wheel 40 is in a rotatable condition when the ADAS 20 is deactivated. The driver of the vehicle 10 is able to provide directional control of the vehicle 10 through the steering wheel 40 while the ADAS 20 is deactivated. The steering wheel 40 is in a non-rotatable condition while the ADAS 20 is activated. The steering wheel 40 is inhibited from rotating while in the non-rotatable condition. The steering wheel 40 is in the non-rotatable condition while the steering wheel 40 is operatively decoupled from the steering assembly 42. It is to be appreciated that decoupling the steering wheel 40 from the steering assembly 42 may be done mechanically, electrically, or a combination thereof.
The electric power steering system 22 may be configured or arranged as a steer-by-wire system such that the steering system of the vehicle 10 is a steer-by-wire steering system that does not have a direct mechanical connection between the steering wheel 40 and/or the steering column 46 and the steering assembly 42. The steering wheel 40 may be directly or indirectly selectively coupled to the steering assembly 42. The steerable wheel 44 may be directly or indirectly selectively coupled to the steering assembly 42 through a steering shaft or a wired or wireless connection via the controller 30. The steerable wheel 44 may be coupled to the steering assembly 42 while the ADAS 20 is deactivated. The steerable wheel 44 may be decoupled from the steering assembly 42 while the ADAS 20 is activated and controlling or maneuvering the vehicle 10.
The steering assembly 42 is arranged to pivot or turn the steerable wheel 44 in response to rotation of the steering wheel 40 or commands provided by the ADAS 20 to pivot or turn the steerable wheel 44.
The steering assembly 42 includes a housing 50 and a steering mechanism 52. In at least one embodiment, the housing 50 is arranged to receive the controller such that the controller 30 is disposed within the housing 50. The housing 50 is arranged to receive at least a portion of the steering mechanism 52. The steering mechanism 52 extends from the housing 50 and is arranged to pivot the steerable wheel 44 in response to rotation of the steering wheel 40 and/or commands provided by the ADAS 20. The steering mechanism 52 may be configured as a steering rack having rack and pinion steering, or the like.
The steering mechanism 52 includes a device, such as a rotary encoder, that interprets rotation of the steering wheel 40 and applies information to an actuator that rotates, translates, or pivots, a portion of the steering mechanism 52 to pivot the steerable wheel 44. The device provides a signal to the actuator while the ADAS 20 is deactivated. The device does not provide a signal or the signal is ignored by the actuator while the ADAS 20 is activated.
The vehicle system 24 is a system that is arranged to provide a request to operate the vehicle 10 and/or is arranged to verify an operator of the vehicle 10. The vehicle system 24 operates as a verification source to verify that an operator of the vehicle is authorized or verified to operate the vehicle 10. Should the vehicle system 24 not verify that an operator of the vehicle is authorized or verified operate vehicle 10, the vehicle system 24 may inhibit the operation of the vehicle 10.
The vehicle system 24 may include a vehicle ignition 60 that is arranged to receive a key. The acceptance of the key and the rotation or depression of the vehicle ignition 60 and the provision of a start signal via the vehicle ignition 60 or the controller 30 verifies that the holder of the key is a verified operator of the vehicle 10. The non-acceptance of the key or the non-rotation or inhibition of depression of the vehicle ignition 60 does not provide the start signal via the vehicle ignition 60 or the controller 30 and does not verify the thought of the key is verified operator of vehicle 10.
In other embodiments, the vehicle system 24 includes a key fob detector 62 and a fob ignition 64. The vehicle system 24 enables an operator of the vehicle 10 to provide a request to operate the vehicle 10 via the fob ignition 64 in response to the key fob detector 62 detecting a key fob that is paired with the vehicle 10. The vehicle system 24 inhibits an operator of vehicle 10 from providing a request to operate the vehicle 10 via the fob ignition 64 in response to the key fob detector 62 not detecting a key fob that is paired of the vehicle 10.
In other embodiments, the vehicle system 24 includes a driver verification system 66. The driver verification system 66 is arranged to verify the identity of an operator of the vehicle using biometrics, a pin code, a key fob, or the like. The vehicle system 24 enables an operator of the vehicle 10 to provide a request to operate the vehicle 10 via an ignition switch in response to the driver verification system 66 verify the identity of an operator of the vehicle 10. The vehicle system 24 inhibits an operator of the vehicle 10 from providing a request to operate the vehicle 10 via the ignition switch 68 in response to the driver verification system 66 not detecting a verified operator of the vehicle 10.
The vehicle system 24 is arranged to provide a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator of the vehicle 10 to a vehicle sub-system such as at least one of a fuel injection system, a transmission control module, an engine control module, the electric power steering system 22, the transmission control system 26, the braking system 28, and the controller 30, in response to the vehicle system 24 not detecting or not verifying a verified operator of the vehicle 10. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle system 24 is arranged to provide the first signal to at least one of the above mentioned vehicle sub-systems and another vehicle sub-system of the above mentioned vehicle sub-systems and inhibit operation of at least one of the above mentioned vehicle sub-systems and another vehicle sub-system of the above mentioned vehicle sub-systems. The vehicle system 24 is arranged to provide a second signal indicative of a verified operate the vehicle 10 to a vehicle sub-system such as at least one of a fuel injection system, a transmission control module, an engine control module, the electric power steering system 22, the transmission control system 26, the braking system 28, and the controller 30, in response to the vehicle system 24 detecting or verifying a verified operator of the vehicle 10. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle system 24 is arranged to provide the second signal to at least one of the above mentioned vehicle sub-systems and another vehicle sub-system of the above mentioned vehicle sub-systems and enable/facilitate operation of at least one of the above mentioned vehicle sub-systems and another vehicle sub-system of the above mentioned vehicle sub-systems.
The transmission control system 26 is in communication with a vehicle transmission. The transmission control system 26 is arranged to change at least one of a transmission operational state and a transmission operational position in response to a verified operator of the vehicle 10 requesting a change in the transmission operational state and or transmission operational position. The transmission control system 26 inhibits the vehicle transmission from being changed from a park state (park position) to a reverse state (reverse position), neutral state (neutral position) or drive state (drive position) in response to the vehicle system 24 providing a first signal indicative of a non-verified operate the vehicle 10. The transmission control system 26 enables the vehicle transmission to be changed from a park state (park position) to a reverse state (reverse position), neutral state (neutral position) or drive state (drive position) in response to the vehicle system 24 providing a second signal indicative of a verified operate the vehicle 10.
The braking system 28 is operatively connected to at least one of the steerable wheel 44 and a non-steerable wheel of the vehicle 10. The braking system 28 is in communication with a brake 74 that is arranged to selectively inhibit or facilitate rotation of at least one of the steerable wheel 44 and the non-steerable wheel. The brake 74 may be an electrically actuated parking brake. The braking system 28 is operated to actuate or operate the brake 74 to inhibit rotation of at least one of the steerable wheel 44 and a non-steerable wheel of the vehicle 10 in response to the vehicle system 24 providing a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator of the vehicle 10. The braking system 28 is operated to actuate or operate the brake 74 to facilitate or enable rotation of at least one of the steerable wheel 44 and a non-steerable wheel of the vehicle 10 in response to the vehicle system 24 providing a second signal indicative of a verified operator of the vehicle 10.
In at least one embodiment, the vehicle system 24 is arranged to provide a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator of the vehicle 10 to another vehicle sub-system such as at least one of a throttle control/fuel injector control for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a logic drive (MOSFET) control for a vehicle having an electric drive, and the controller 30 to inhibit operation of at least one of the throttle control/fuel injector control and the logic drive (MOSFET) control, in response to the vehicle system 24 not detecting or not verifying a verified operator of the vehicle 10. The vehicle system 24 is arranged to provide a second signal indicative of a verified operate the vehicle 10 to at least one of a throttle control/fuel injector control for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a logic drive (MOSFET) control for a vehicle having an electric drive, and the controller 30 to enable operation of at least one of the throttle control/fuel injector control and the logic drive (MOSFET) control, in response to the vehicle system 24 detecting or verifying a verified operator of the vehicle 10.
The controller 30 may be provided as a separate component of the vehicle 10. At least one embodiment, the controller 30 may be provided as part of the ADAS 20 or may be provided as part of the electric power steering system 22 such that it is integrated into the housing 50. The controller 30 is configured to receive information or signals from the ADAS 20, a sensor associated with the ADAS 20, the electric power steering system 22, the vehicle system 24, the transmission control system 26, and the braking system 28.
The controller 30 includes a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) in communication with various types of computer readable storage devices or media. Computer readable storage devices or media may include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM), for example. KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to store various operating variables while the CPU is powered down. Computer-readable storage devices or media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by the controller 30 in providing antitheft capabilities for the vehicle 10.
The controller 30 is programmed to provide the first signal indicative of a non-verified operator of the vehicle 10 to at least one of the electric power steering system 22, the transmission control system 26, the braking system 28, and another vehicle sub-system, in response to receiving a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator of the vehicle 10 from the vehicle system 24 and a request to operate the vehicle 10.
The controller 30 provides a signal or a command to the electric power steering system 22 to inhibit the electric power steering system 22 from being operated. The electric power steering system 22 will not respond to steer by wire commands input through the steering wheel 40 while the electric power steering system 22 is inhibited from being operated. The signal or the command may inhibit the provision of power to the electric power steering system 22. In at least one embodiment, the controller 30 provide a signal or a command to the electric power steering system 22 to operate the electric power steering system 22 to pivot the steerable wheel 44. The steerable wheel 44 may be pivoted left or right all the way to an end of travel of the steering mechanism 52. The pivoting of the steerable wheel 44 prevents or inhibits the vehicle 10 from being placed in neutral and pushed or rolled away from its current location.
The controller 30 may also provide a signal or a command to the transmission control system 26 to inhibit the transmission control system 26 from being operated. The signal or the command may inhibit the transmission control system 26 from changing at least one of the transmission operational state and the transmission operational position. The inhibiting of changing at least one of the transmission operational state and the transmission operational position prevents or inhibits the transmission of the vehicle 10 from being placed in neutral and being pushed or rolled away from its current location.
The controller 30 may also provide a signal or command to the braking system 28 to operate the braking system 28. The braking system 28 may be operated to inhibit rotation of at least one of the steerable wheel 44 and the non-steerable wheel by operating the brake 74. The locking of at least one of the steerable wheel 44 and a non-steerable wheel of the vehicle 10 by the brake 74 prevents or inhibits the rotation of a vehicle wheel to inhibit the vehicle 10 from being pushed or rolled away from its current location.
In at least one embodiment, the controller 30 may place the electric power steering system 22 in a standby mode in which the electric power steering system 22 is inhibited from operating. In further embodiments, prior to placing the electric power steering system 22 in the standby mode, the controller 30 provides a signal or a command the electric power steering system 22 to operate electric power steering system 22 to pivot the steerable wheel 44. The electric power steering system 22 remains in standby mode until the vehicle 10 is restarted and an operator of the vehicle is verified. This ensures that the vehicle 10 is not actually shut down during operation and the check is only performed at startup.
The controller 30 is programmed to provide the second signal indicative of a verified operator of the vehicle 10 to at least one of the electric power steering system 22, the transmission control system 26, and the braking system 28, in response to receiving the second signal indicative of a verified operator of the vehicle 10 from the vehicle system 24 and a request to operate the vehicle 10.
The controller 30 provides a signal or a command to the electric power steering system 22 to enable the electric power steering system 22 to be operated. The electric power steering system 22 may respond to steer by wire commands input through the steering wheel 40 while the electric power steering system 22 is enabled to be operated. The signal or the command may request that power be provided to the electric power steering system 22. In at least one embodiment, the controller 30 provide a signal or a command to the electric power steering system 22 to operate the electric power steering system 22 to straighten the steerable wheel 44.
The controller 30 may also provide a signal or a command to the transmission control system 26 to enable the transmission control system 26 to be operated. The signal or the command may enable the transmission control system 26 to change at least one of the transmission operational state and the transmission operational position such that the transmission of the vehicle 10 may be moved away from the park position or park state.
The controller 30 may also provide a signal or command to the braking system 28 to operate the braking system 28. The braking system 28 may be operated to enable or facilitate rotation of at least one of the steerable wheel 44 and the non-steerable wheel by releasing or not operating the brake 74. The releasing or non-operation of the brake 74 enables or facilitates the rotation of a vehicle wheel to inhibit the vehicle 10 from being pushed or rolled away from its current location.
In at least one embodiment, the controller 30 may remove the electric power steering system 22 from the standby mode in response to the second signal indicative of a verified operator of the vehicle 10 and a request to operate the vehicle 10.
The controller is further programmed to inhibit operation of the electric power steering system 22 in response to the provision of power to at least one of the controller 30, another vehicle system, and the electric power steering system 22. Power may be provided to at least one of these systems during an attempt by a person to hotwire the vehicle 10. The application of power to at least one of the electric power steering system 22 and the controller 30 absent at least one of the first signal indicative of a non-verified operator of the vehicle 10 and the second signal indicative of a verified operator of the vehicle 10. The controller 30 may provide a signal or command to the electric power steering system 22 to operate electric power steering system 22 to pivot the steerable wheel 44 to a left extreme or a right extreme.
Referring to
The method may be executed by the controller 30 and may be implemented as a closed loop control system. For brevity, the method will be described in the context of a single iteration of the method. The method may be performed prior to or during a start sequence of the vehicle 10.
At block 100, the method assesses whether a request to operate the vehicle 10 is provided. If a request to operate the vehicle 10 is not provided, the method may end. Should a request to operate the vehicle 10 be provided, the method continues to block 102.
At block 102, the method determines whether an operator of the vehicle is verified or not. If an operator of the vehicle is not verified by the vehicle system 24, the vehicle continues to block 104.
At block 104, the vehicle system 24 provides a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator of the vehicle 10 to a vehicle sub-system such as at least one of the electric power steering system 22, the transmission control system 26, the braking system 28, a throttle control/fuel injector control, and a logic drive (MOSFET) control. The method may then proceed to perform at least one or a combination of the following processes: inhibit operation of the electric power steering system 22, at block 106; operate the electric power steering system 22 to pivot the steerable wheel 44, at block 108; inhibit operation of the transmission control system 26, at block 110; and operate the braking system 28, block 112.
At block 114, the method may place the electric power steering system 22 in a standby mode awaiting a subsequent request to operate the vehicle 10 and a signal indicative of a verified operator of the vehicle 10.
At block 116, the method assesses whether a subsequent request to operate the vehicle 10 is received and is provided by a verified operator of the vehicle 10. If a subsequent request to operate the vehicle 10 is not received or is not provided by a verified operator of the vehicle 10, the method returns to block 114 and the electric power steering system 22 remains in standby mode. Should a subsequent request to operate the vehicle 10 be received and is provided by a verified operator of the vehicle 10, the method provides the second signal indicative of a verified operator of the vehicle 10 to at least one of the electric power steering system 22, the transmission control system 26, and the braking system 28, at block 118. The method then removes the electric power steering system 22 from the standby mode at block 120.
Returning to block 102, the method determines whether an operator of the vehicle 10 is verified. Should an operator of the vehicle be verified, the vehicle 10 continues to block 122. At block 122, the method provides the second signal indicative of a verified operator of the vehicle 10 to a vehicle sub-system such as at least one of the electric power steering system 22, the transmission control system 26, the braking system 28, a throttle control/fuel injector control, and a logic drive (MOSFET) control.
The method may then proceed to perform at least one of or a combination of the following processes: enable operation of the electric power steering system 22, at block 124; wherein enabling operation of the electric power steering system 22 includes providing power to the electric power steering system 22, at block 126; enable operation of the transmission control system 26, at block 128; and operate the braking system 28 to enable or facilitate rotation of at least one of the steerable wheel 44 and a non-steerable wheel, at block 130.
While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description.
Collier, Bruce M., Simon, Daniel C.
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